Freedom House promotes the spread of freedom and democracy around the world through research, advocacy, and programs that support frontline activists. We are a leader in identifying threats to freedom through our highly regarded analytic reports, including Freedom in the World, Freedom of the Press, Freedom on the Net, and Nations in Transit. With 13 field offices and two U.S. offices, we support the right of every individual to be free.
The Freedom House-led Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund is a consortium of 7 INGOs that provides emergency financial assistance to civil society organizations (CSOs) under threat or attack due to their human rights work, and rapid response grants targeting broader threats to civil society and freedom of association. Lifeline has a donor steering committee of 18 governments. More information: https://www.csolifeline.org/
Position Summary
The Lifeline Program Associate will provide administrative and programmatic support to the Lifeline team and Consortium to counter the rising trend of attacks on CSOs and their ability to operate safely and free from interference. Duties include tracking financial and program reporting from the Lifeline Consortium; processing, tracking and monitoring rapid response grants countering restrictions on civil society; providing emergency assistance to embattled CSOs; drafting research and advocacy documents; and expanding Lifeline’s online presence. This position is based at Freedom House in Washington, DC and reports to the Senior Program Manager for EAP.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferably in the social sciences or relevant related field
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
- Strong commitment to efficient, effective and secure documentation, reporting and communications required
- Excellent inter-personal, inter-cultural and teamwork skills
- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in English
- Strong computer skills, including MS Word, Outlook and PowerPoint ; k nowledge of spreadsheet functionality and strong skills in MS Excel; knowledge of database software
- Experience volunteering, interning, or working in a nonprofit a plus
- Knowledge of Arabic, French, Spanish or Russian a plus
- Experience working specifically in the area of human rights is strongly preferred, experience working with CSOs and human rights defenders based abroad a plus
Some Duties and Responsibilities
- Process, track and monitor rapid response grants to local CSOs related to closing civil society space and boosting the resiliency of CSOs to withstand and mitigate attacks
- Conduct desk research and draft written products relating to the closure of civil society space as well as assessments, proposals, budget narratives, news updates, etc
- Review and troubleshoot financial reporting from grantees, including Lifeline Consortium partners
- Support regional specialists providing emergency assistance to threatened CSOs and work of the EAP monitoring and evaluation specialist in evaluating the work of the Lifeline consortium
- Assist with developing and maintaining in-country and regional networks of human rights defenders, civil society organizations, experts, and regional partners
- Prepare financial documentation as well as tracking program expenditures
- Draft and ensure timely approval of contracts, LOAs, MOUs, work plan documents, etc.
- Schedule and arrange meetings and events, and liaise with internal and external contacts appropriately and under supervision
- Assist with travel plans including flight and hotel research and booking, travel authorization, visa application, etc.
- Represent team in meetings and backstopping calls as requested by supervisor, take notes and provide written feedback to team, and provide backstopping support as required
- Engage in building Lifeline’s social media presence
- Maintain program files and folders for easy access and retrieval
- Provide general office support and a variety of related tasks to other work teams as directed
- Share knowledge of tasks with interns and assist interns as required
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer: This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and that other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. Freedom House may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.
We offer great benefits including:
- Generously subsidized dental insurance
- Generously subsidized vision insurance
- Generously subsidized health insurance with three options (HMO, POS, PPO)
- 100% employer paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
- 100% employer paid short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
- Supplemental/voluntary life insurance for employee, spouse, and child(ren)
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with generous matching funds with 2 year 100% vesting schedule
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care reimbursable expenses
- Transportation pre-tax payroll deduction for metro, and garage parking in DC
- Generous paid vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement for graduate studies
- And much more……
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